Reportedly, at the time of its release, the most expensive album ever made. The album was recorded at many different studios that has particular "specialities". For example, the drums were recorded at XX studio's.

The album cover featured a version of the Queen crest originally designed by Freddie. The crest is derived from the bands star signs.

The title of the album was taken from the Marx brother's film of the same name. A theme that would continue for the next album. Many of the songs that would feature on the next album would be recorded around the same time as the songs for "A Night at the Opera".

Freddie once commented that perhaps the two albums would be packaged as a set at some time in the future.